Friday, December 29, 2006

1. Get below a 10 minute mile.2. Get above a 15 mph bike.3. Non-tri- get my split consistently at or below 2:15.4. Lose 15 lbs so I can row lightweight.5. Complete my first-ever century ride.6. Run my first marathon.7. Beat my ranking in the Virginia Triathlon Series.8. Win at Occoquan.9. Complete Jim McDonnell 1 mile swim this year.10. Get swim time within reason.11. Complete first HIM.12. Finally play a season of hockey. 13. Get up to consistently riding on intermediate slopes.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

The personal Honored Teammate of one of the St. Anthony's participants died on December 11, only 8 weeks after being diagnosed with ALL.

Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells that originates in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy inner portion of certain bones. Leukemias are the most common form of childhood cancer. About one-third of all cancers in children under the age of 15 are leukemias, as are about one-fourth of all cancers in people under 20.

Leukemias: The major forms of leukemia are divided into four categories. Myelogenous and lymphocytic leukemia each have acute and chronic forms. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved.

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Acute lymphocytic leukemia (also called acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL) is uncommon among adults, but it is the most common type of leukemia in children. About 85 percent of all childhood leukemias are classified as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Pediatric ALL is usually treated with chemotherapy drugs -- drugs that are toxic to the leukemia cells and stop them from growing. This is usually done in stages to treat hiding cells as well. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system or elsewhere and for pain caused by bone destruction.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML, also sometimes called acute myeloid leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia) is the most common leukemia diagnosed in adults. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplantation. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system or elsewhere and for pain caused by bone destruction. Pediatric AML is usually treated with chemotherapy drugs -- drugs that are toxic to the leukemia cells and stop them from growing. Chemotherapy is given in several stages.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (also called chronic lymphoblastic leukemia or CLL) is one of the more common forms of leukemia in adults. Because the disease usually develops very slowly, some people can live many years without significant symptoms and before requiring treatment. Current treatment strategies are designed to slow the progression of disease and to alleviate symptoms.

Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Researchers have noticed an increasing proportion of younger patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in recent years. Treatment approaches for adult leukemia may include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Radiation therapy is sometimes used for leukemia in the central nervous system.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. These diseases result from an acquired injury to the DNA of a single cell, which then becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies unchecked. The accumulation of malignant cells interferes with the body's ability to produce normal blood cells resulting in severe anemia, abnormal bruising or bleeding and/or a decreased ability to fight infections.The annual percent of new cases per disease is as follows leukemia~30%, lymphoma~56% and myeloma~14%. Treatments range from conventional chemotherapy to radiation therapy to bone marrow and stem cell transplantation to immunotherapy to vaccines to gene therapy. Many of the newer modes of treatment are a direct result of your awareness of the need and funds raised through Team in Training.

Friday, December 15, 2006

Know anyone who is a glutton for punishment? We are still recruiting for the Gulf Coast team. We need 11 more teammates. Plus, the more, the merrier, right?! So, *please invite a friend* who you think would be interested in the program, and we'll gladly talk to them about joining us for the half Ironman!

Team In TrainingThe Leukemia & Lymphoma SocietyTeam In Training will soon be forming Teams for our exciting spring events including The National Marathon and the St. Anthony's Triathlon. Please contact our office at 703-960-1100 or visit our web site www.teamintraining.org/nca for more information.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Leukemia: The major forms of leukemia are divided into four categories. Myelogenous and lymphocytic leukemia each have acute and chronic forms. The terms myelogenous or lymphocytic denote the cell type involved.Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. The lymphomas are divided into two major categories: Hodgkin lymphoma and all other lymphomas, called non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The prefix "lymph-" indicates their origin in the malignant change of a lymphocyte and the suffix "-oma" is derived from the Greek suffix denoting "tumor." About 56 percent of the blood cancers that occur each year are lymphomas

Myeloma: An estimated 16,570 new cases of myeloma will be diagnosed in the United States in 2006. Myeloma may be called by several names, including plasma cell dyscrasia, plasma cell myeloma, myelomatosis and multiple myeloma. The major forms of myeloma are divided into categories, which allows the physician to decide what treatment works best for the particular type of disease.

Monday, December 4, 2006

So I wanted to do an Ironman for my 30th birthday- no easy task. Since you can't really go from being a tri-bunny as it were to Ironman overnight, I signed up for a half ironman this year with Team in Training.

What is TNT? Basically, they train you for an endurance event in exchange for you fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So aside from swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running a half marathon, I'm raising $4400 for a great cause.

The first practice is tomorrow and I'm really nervous. It feels like the first day of classes in a new school, except instead of pretty new pens and binders, I'll have a swim cap and goggles. Wish me luck and bilateral breathing!

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About Me

I like to run, but I'm slow. I love the water even if it doesn't always love me back. And I'm still tweaking the bike.
I hate jellyfish even if they do eat mosquito larva.
James Bond movies, ice cream, and finisher's medals make life worth living.